Follower and methods for weapons magazine

ABSTRACT

A follower for a firearm magazine is provided. In some embodiments, the follower has: a platform shaped to interface with a firearm cartridge; a first side face extending longitudinally from the platform and having a first end opposing the platform; and a second side face extending longitudinally from the platform and having a second end opposing the platform. The first side face and the second side face may define a receiving space for receiving at least a portion of a magazine spring. At least one of the first end and the second end may have a nonlinear profile shaped to translate a lateral spring force into a longitudinal spring force.

PRIORITY

The present application claims priority from commonly owned and assignedprovisional application No. 62/109,603, entitled Magazine Follower,which is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patentfiles or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms. In particular, but not by wayof limitation, the present invention relates to systems and methods forimproving firearm magazine assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, a firearm magazine assembly includes a housing with a feedend and an opposing end that encases a spring and follower assembly. Thespring maintains pressure on the follower, causing the follower to biascartridges towards the feed end as cartridges are emptied from or loadedinto the magazine. The follower thus travels through the housing as themagazine is emptied of or filled with cartridges.

In some cases, as the magazine is being loaded with cartridges, and thespring is in the process of being compressed, the spring may catch onthe follower, causing the spring to un-uniformly buckle or twist. Thisbuckling or twisting reduces the reliability and/or the maximumcompression of the spring. Reducing the maximum compression of thespring reduces the capacity of the magazine. An un-uniformly bucklingspring may generally experience a reduction in longevity, increase theamount of maintenance required by the user, and/or increase the loadingforce required by the user.

Although present magazine assemblies and methods are functional, it isdesirable to provide a magazine assembly that has improved reliabilitywhile loading the assembly. Accordingly, a system and method are neededto provide new and innovative features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention that are shown in thedrawings are summarized below. These and other embodiments are morefully described in the Detailed Description section. It is to beunderstood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventionto the forms described in this Summary of the Invention or in theDetailed Description. One skilled in the art can recognize that thereare numerous modifications, equivalents and alternative constructionsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed inthe claims.

Some embodiments provide a follower for a firearm magazine. The followermay have a platform shaped to interface with a firearm cartridge, afirst side face extending longitudinally from the platform and having afirst end opposing the platform, a second side face extendinglongitudinally from the platform and having a second end opposing theplatform. The first side face and the second side face define areceiving space for receiving at least a portion of a magazine spring,and at least one of the first end and the second end has a nonlinearprofile shaped to translate a lateral spring force into a longitudinalspring force.

Some embodiments provide a follower for a firearm magazine. The followermay have a cartridge interface shaped to support a cartridge in afirearm magazine, a magazine housing interface shaped to orient thefollower relative to the firearm magazine, and a magazine springreceiving space. The magazine spring receiving space is shaped toreceive at least a portion of a magazine spring, and at least a portionof the magazine spring receiving space has a nonlinear end profileshaped to translate a lateral spring force into a longitudinal springforce.

Some embodiments provide method of using a follower for a firearmmagazine. The method may include providing a follower in a firearmmagazine; causing the follower to interface with a cartridge, a magazinehousing, and a magazine spring; and loading the firearm magazine suchthat the follower compresses the magazine spring and the nonlinear endprofile deflects the magazine spring from catching on the nonlinear endprofile. The follower has a cartridge interface, a magazine housinginterface, and a magazine spring receiving space shaped to receive atleast a portion of a magazine spring, at least a portion of the magazinehousing interface comprising a plurality of interior faces and anonlinear end profile shaped to deflect the magazine spring fromcatching on the follower.

In some embodiments, a method of making a follower for a firearm isprovided. The method includes: providing a platform shaped to interfacewith a firearm cartridge, shaping a first side face extendinglongitudinally from the platform and having a first end opposing theplatform, and shaping a second side face extending longitudinally fromthe platform and having a second end opposing the platform. The methodalso includes shaping the first side face and the second side face todefine a receiving space for receiving at least a portion of a magazinespring, and shaping a nonlinear profile in at least one of the first endand the second end, so that the nonlinear profile nonlinear profile isshaped to translate a lateral spring force into a longitudinal springforce.

As previously stated, the above-described embodiments andimplementations are for illustration purposes only. Numerous otherembodiments, implementations, and details of the invention are easilyrecognized by those of skill in the art from the following descriptionsand claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects and advantages and a more complete understanding of thepresent invention are apparent and more readily appreciated by referenceto the following Detailed Description and to the appended claims whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a follower according to someembodiments;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a follower according to someembodiments;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a follower according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a follower according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view illustrating lower portions of a followeraccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 5A is a detailed view illustrating alternative lower portions of afollower according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5B is a side view illustrating alternative lower portions of afollower according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5C is a side view illustrating alternative lower portions of afollower according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5D is a side view illustrating alternative lower portions of afollower according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5E is a side view illustrating alternative lower portions of afollower according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a side section view through the center of a follower accordingto some embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a front section view through the center of a followeraccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 7A is a detailed view of an alternative recess in some embodiments;

FIG. 7B is a detailed view of another alternative recess in someembodiments;

FIG. 7C is a detailed view of another alternative recess in someembodiments;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a follower according to some embodiments;

FIG. 8A is a bottom section view illustrating a feature of the recessillustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 8B is a bottom section view illustrating a receiving spaceaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 8C is a detailed side section view of the recess illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 8;

FIG. 8D is a detailed side section view of an alternative recessaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 8E is a detailed side section view of another alternative recessaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 8F is a detailed side section view of another alternative recessaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of using a follower according to someembodiments; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing a follower accordingto some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Prior to describing the embodiments in detail, it is expedient to defineterms as used in this document. For the purpose of this document,relational terms such as, without limitation, “lateral”, “longitudinal”,“perpendicular”, “parallel”, and “flat” shall be understood to mean“within reasonable manufacturing tolerances accepted in the firearmsmanufacturing industry”. The term “longitudinal” shall reference thatdirection associated with a typical direction of travel or intendedtravel of a follower and/or cartridges within a firearm magazine, evenwhere no magazine is present. For example, in FIG. 1, axis A is alongitudinal axis. The term “lateral” may reference any direction thatis not longitudinal. For example, in FIG. 8B, a lateral force F ismarked, because the force F has lateral components. However, it shouldbe noted that lateral force F also has longitudinal components. The term“fore” shall reference that side or direction associated with a firingdirection or a nose of a cartridge, while the term “aft” shall referencethat side or direction associated with a user position, away from afiring direction. For example, in FIG. 1, the left of the pageillustrates the fore region of the follower 100, and the right side ofthe page illustrates the aft region of the follower 100. The term“exterior” shall reference that region intended to interface with amagazine housing, while the term “interior” shall reference that regionintended to receive or house a spring compressed therein. For example,in FIG. 5, the reference “112” is directed towards a space that isinterior of walls 104, 106. The term “nonlinear” shall be understood tomean having a curved region. For example, the profile labeled 111 a inFIG. 3 may be considered a nonlinear end profile.

Referring now to the drawings, where like or similar elements aredesignated with identical reference numerals throughout the severalviews, and referring in particular to FIG. 1, it illustrates a magazinefollower 100 according to some embodiments. The follower 100 may bemanufactured for use with a desired firearm type, such as the 7.62×39Kalashnikov pattern rifles (AK-47, AKM, AKS, SIG556R), and others. Itwill be understood by one of skill in the art that the follower 100 maybe manufactured for use with other firearms. The follower 100 may alsobe manufactured of any material suitable for use as a firearm follower,including, without limitation, high strength synthetic materials,plastics, composites, ceramics, various metals including aluminum,stainless steel or alloys, or any other material suitable for theintended use with a firearm, and the follower may have a surface finishsuitable to minimize friction between the follower 100 and a magazinehousing or spring.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, in some embodiments, the follower 100 has acartridge interface shaped to support a cartridge in a firearm magazine,such as a platform 102 shaped to interface with a firearm cartridge. Insome embodiments, the platform 102 may be shaped according to knowndesigns suitable for use with a variety of firearms and cartridgespecifications, such as, without limitation, 7.62×39 millimeter, 5.45×39millimeter, 7.62×54R, 5.56×45 millimeter, 7.62×51 millimeter (0.308), 12gauge, 9×18 millimeter, 0.22LR, or any rim fire cartridges, or others.

The follower 100 may also have a magazine housing interface shaped toorient the follower 100 relative to a firearm magazine, such as a firstside face and a second side face. The first and second side faces may bedefined by a plurality of walls, such as a first side wall 104, and asecond side wall 106. The first and second side walls 104, 106 may bedefined by a plurality of walls or a single shape formed to providefirst and second side faces. The first and second side walls 104, 106may have one or more guide structures 105 for orienting the follower 100relative to a firearm magazine. The first and second side walls 104, 106may be parallel to one another and/or mirror one another, and they maybe perpendicular to a bottom face of the platform 102 or extendlongitudinally from the platform 102, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the follower 100 may have a magazinespring receiving space 112. In some embodiments, the receiving space 112is defined by a single curved wall structure or a plurality of walls,such as the first and second side walls 104, 106 having side faces, withthe spring receiving space 112 shaped to receive at least a portion of amagazine spring, such as when the spring and follower 100 are compressedin a magazine housing. The first side wall 104 may extend longitudinallyfrom the platform 102 and have a first end 108 opposing the platform102. Similarly, the second side wall 106 may extend longitudinally fromthe platform 102 and have a second end 110 opposing the platform 102.See e.g. FIGS. 1-2. Exterior faces of the first and second side walls104, 106 may have guide structures 105 for maintaining a desiredorientation between the follower 100 and a magazine housing, whileinterior faces of the first and second side walls 104, 106 may have oneor more guide surfaces 107 to provide the spring a smaller surface onwhich to glide, thus reducing friction between the spring and thefollower 100. See e.g. FIGS. 2 and 6.

With brief reference to FIG. 8B, in some embodiments, the receivingspace 112 may be defined by a single wall defining an interior face 124that has at least two opposing points, at least two points mirroredabout a central axis, or two opposing normals. For example, thereceiving space 112 may be defined by a curved surface in someembodiments that encloses at least a portion of a spring compressed inthe receiving space 112. The interior face 124 may be mirrored about atransverse axis B so as to form a first side face 204 and a second sideface 206. The first and second side faces 204, 206 may function in amanner similar to the first and second side faces 104, 106. The firstand second side faces 204, 206 may also have one or more end profiles108, 110 and/or spring deflectors 118, 120 as described with referenceto the first and second side faces 104, 106.

Turning now to FIG. 5, at least one of the plurality of walls may have anonlinear end profile shaped to translate a lateral spring force into alongitudinal spring force. In some embodiments, a first end and a secondend 108, 110 may have a nonlinear profile, the nonlinear profile havinga concave portion 109, 111. The concave portion 109, 111 may serve toprevent a fore and/or aft region of the spring from catching on thewalls 104, 106 of the follower 100 and/or to translate a lateral springforce into a longitudinal spring force, to allow the spring to properlycompress as the magazine is being loaded.

It should be understood that, although both side walls 104, 106 aredepicted with a concave portion 109, 111, the follower 100, 200 couldcomprise just one side wall with a concave portion 109, 111, or neitherside wall 104, 106 could comprise the concave portion 109, 111. See FIG.5A illustrating a follower 100 having spring deflectors 118, 120, 122without a nonlinear profile or concave portion in the side walls or sidefaces 204, 206. Those of skill in the art will also understand that theconcave portion 109, 111 may be suitably located in the follower 100such that the concave portion 109, 111 is near the aft region of themagazine, as depicted in FIG. 5, to address the regions of the springthat experience the greatest lateral displacement or are susceptible tobinding on the follower.

In some embodiments, the follower 100, 200 may have one or more sidewalls 104, 106 or side faces 204, 206 with a lower portion that has acarved out region having a linear and/or nonlinear profile, asillustrated in FIGS. 5B-5E. In some embodiments, the follower 100 mayhave, for example, a trapezoidal profile 111 a as illustrated in FIG. 5Bor an angular profile 111 b as illustrated in FIG. 5C. In someembodiments, the follower 100 may have a waved profile having aplurality of concave portions 111 c, 111 d, as illustrated in FIG. 5D.In some embodiments, the follower 100 may have both a convex portion 111e and a linear portion 111 f. In some embodiments, a combination of theprofiles illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E may be provided. The embodimentsdescribed above and/or combinations thereof may provide a feature todeflect a spring from catching on the follower 100.

Returning briefly to FIG. 2, and with reference to FIG. 4, the follower100 or plurality of walls may include a back wall 114. The back wall 114may be shaped to engage an interior of a firearm magazine housing, suchas including a curvature (e.g., convex) to match or complement acurvature of a magazine housing, as most clearly seen in FIG. 2. Theback wall 114 may have one or more troughs 115 a, 115 b on the exteriorface and/or the interior face of the back wall 114, as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 4, for allowing debris to pass between the follower 100 andthe housing or between the follower 100 and the spring. The back wall114 may couple at least a portion of the first side face or first sidewall 104 to at least a portion of the second side face or second sidewall 106.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the back wall 114 may alsoinclude a third end 116 opposing the platform 102, and at least one ofthe first end 108, the second end 110, and the third end 116 may have aspring deflector 118, 120, 122 shaped to deflect a spring from catchingon the follower 100 or to translate a lateral spring force into alongitudinal spring force. The spring deflector 118, 120, 122 mayinclude a recessed face shaped to translate a lateral spring force intoa longitudinal spring force. Without limitation, in some examples, therecessed face may include an angled lead-in, and/or a variety of beveledor chamfered entries.

In some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIGS. 6-7, one or more of thespring deflectors 118, 120, 122 comprises at least one of a bevel, achamfer, a crimped region, a convex bevel, a concave bevel, a convexchamfer, a concave chamfer, a chisel, a concave chisel, a convex chisel,and a compound bevel to translate a lateral spring force into alongitudinal spring force and/or prevent a spring from catching on thefollower 100.

Turning now to FIG. 6, which illustrates a side section view of thefollower 100, one or more of the side faces or side walls 104, 106 mayhave one or more spring guide surfaces 107 to minimize friction betweenthe side faces of the side wall(s) 104, 106 and the spring, thusallowing the spring to compress with as minimal effort as possiblewithin the receiving space 112. In FIG. 6, the spring guide surfaces 107protrude out of the page, or laterally relative to an interior side faceof the side wall 104.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the spring deflector118, 120 in the first and/or second side face or side wall 104, 106 mayhave a convex chamfer 118 a. In some embodiments, the spring deflector118, 120 may have a concave chamfer 118 b as illustrated in FIG. 7B, orthe spring deflector 118, 120 may have a double chamfer or bevel, asillustrated in FIG. 7C. It should be understood that other shaped walls104, 106, 114 that provide a wide entry lead-in narrowing to a springreceiving space 112 may be suitable for the spring deflector 118, 120.The wide entry lead-in may provide a minimum cross-section at thefollower end upon which a spring could catch. It should also beunderstood that the spring deflector 118, 120 may include other linearand/or curved surfaces for interfacing with a spring to translate alateral spring force to a longitudinal spring force.

Turning now to FIGS. 7, 8, and 8A, the spring deflector 122 in the thirdend 116, that is, the end of the back wall 114, may include a crimpedregion 123 (see e.g. FIG. 7). The crimped region 123 may be a recess inthe back face, such as a recessed face in the back wall 114 that has alarge entry or lead-in with a first diameter D1 that narrows to a seconddiameter D2 when viewed from the bottom of the follower 100. It shouldbe understood that the narrowing from D1 to D2 may be, but is notnecessarily, linear. In some embodiments, D2 may have approximately thesame dimension as the trough 115 on the interior face of the back wall114, as seen most clearly in FIG. 7.

Turning now to FIG. 8B, which illustrates a detailed side section viewtaken through the center of the follower in FIG. 6, the recess or springdeflector 122 may include a beveled or crimped region progressinglinearly between D1 and D2. In some embodiments, and as illustrated inFIG. 8C, the spring deflector 122 a may include a beveled or crimpedregion that provides a convex surface. In some embodiments, the springdeflector 122 b may provide a concave surface as illustrated in FIG. 8D.In some embodiments, the spring deflector 122 c may provide a steppedsurface, as illustrated in FIG. 8E. It should be understood that othershapes that provide a wide entry or lead-in narrowing to a springreceiving space 112 may be suitable for the spring deflector 122. Itshould also be understood that the spring deflector 122 may includeother linear and/or curved surfaces for interfacing with a spring totranslate a lateral spring force into a longitudinal spring force.

Continuing with FIG. 8B, a spring force F is shown, which could beexerted on the follower 100 if the spring is buckling improperly. Tocounteract this improper spring force F, the spring deflector 122 isshaped to translate the lateral components of the spring force F intolongitudinal components. Specifically, the recess on the interior sideof the back wall 114 may be angled such that the spring is unable tocatch on the follower 100, and such that the spring returns to aproperly collapsing shape, because the longitudinal component of thespring force F would be greater than an opposing frictional force. Therecess may be manufactured such that the frictional forces between thespring and follower 100 are minimized, thus further improving theeffectiveness of the spring deflector 122. Like with the back wall 114,either of the spring deflectors 118, 120 in the first or second sidefaces or side walls 104, 106 (see e.g. FIG. 5), can eliminate or reducesimilarly improper buckling forces through the use of a wide entrylead-in, with further improvement possible through a surface finish thatminimizes frictional forces between the spring and the springdeflector(s) 118, 120.

Turning now to FIG. 9, a method 900 of using a follower for a firearmmagazine is now described. The method 900 includes providing 902 afollower, causing 904 the follower to interface with a cartridge,housing, and spring, loading 906 a magazine, allowing 908 a recessedface to deflect a spring (optional), allowing 910 a recessed face totranslate a force (optional), and allowing 912 a concave region totranslate a force (optional).

Providing 902 a follower in a firearm magazine includes providing afollower having a cartridge interface, a magazine housing interface, anda magazine spring receiving space defined by a plurality of walls, thespring receiving space shaped to receive at least a portion of amagazine spring, at least one of the plurality of walls comprising anonlinear end profile shaped to deflect the magazine spring fromcatching on the follower. Providing 902 a follower may be achieved byproviding a follower according to any of the embodiments described withreference to FIGS. 1-8E.

Causing 904 the follower to interface with a cartridge, a magazinehousing, and a magazine spring may include causing an assembled followerto engage or move within a magazine assembly that includes a cartridge,a magazine housing, and a magazine spring.

Loading 906 the firearm magazine includes loading the firearm such thatthe follower compresses the magazine spring and the nonlinear endprofile deflects the magazine spring from catching on the nonlinear endprofile. Loading 906 may be achieved by using a follower according toany of the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1-8E.

In some embodiments, loading 906 the firearm includes at least one of:allowing 908 a recessed face in at least one of a plurality of walls inthe follower to deflect the spring from catching on the wall; allowing910 a recessed face in at least one of a plurality of walls to translatea lateral spring force into a longitudinal spring force; and allowing912 a concave region in the nonlinear end profile to translate a lateralspring force into longitudinal spring force.

Turning now to FIG. 10, a method 1000 of making a follower for a firearmis now discussed. The method 1000 includes providing a platform 1002,shaping a first side wall or side face 1004, shaping a second or sideface 1006, defining a receiving space 1008, and shaping a nonlinearprofile 1010. The method 1000 may optionally include providing andshaping 1012 a back wall, and/or shaping 1014 a recessed or face.

Providing 1002 a platform includes providing a platform shaped tointerface with a firearm cartridge, such as a 7.62×39 millimetercartridge. The platform may be shaped as illustrated in any of theembodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1-8E. Providing 1002 aplatform may be accomplished by securing a pre-formed blank andperforming finishing operations thereon and/or molding, machining orotherwise manipulating a material, such as, without limitation, highstrength synthetic materials, plastics, composites, ceramics, variousmetals including aluminum, stainless steel or alloys, or any othermaterial suitable for the intended use with a firearm. The platform mayhave a surface finish suitable to minimize friction between the followerand a magazine housing or cartridge.

Shaping 1004 a first side wall or side face includes shaping a firstside wall or side face extending longitudinally from the platform andhaving a first end opposing the platform. The first side wall or sideface may be shaped as illustrated in any of the embodiments describedwith reference to FIGS. 1-8E. Shaping 1004 may be accomplished bysecuring a pre-formed blank and performing finishing operations thereonand attaching the first side wall or side face to the platform, and/ormolding, machining or otherwise manipulating a material, such as,without limitation, high strength synthetic materials, plastics,composites, ceramics, various metals including aluminum, stainless steelor alloys, or any other material suitable for the intended use with afirearm. The first side wall or side face may have a surface finishsuitable to minimize friction between the follower and a magazinehousing and/or a spring.

Shaping 1006 a second side wall or side face includes shaping a secondside wall or side face extending longitudinally from the platform andhaving a second end opposing the platform. The second side wall or sideface may be shaped as illustrated in any of the embodiments describedwith reference to FIGS. 1-8E. Shaping 1006 may be accomplished bysecuring a pre-formed blank and performing finishing operations thereonand attaching the second side wall or side face to the platform, and/ormolding, machining or otherwise manipulating a material, such as,without limitation, high strength synthetic materials, plastics,composites, ceramics, various metals including aluminum, stainless steelor alloys, or any other material suitable for the intended use with afirearm. The second side wall or side face may have a surface finishsuitable to minimize friction between the follower and a magazinehousing and/or a spring.

Defining 1008 a receiving space includes shaping the first side wall orside face and the second side wall or side face to define a receivingspace for receiving at least a portion of a magazine spring. Thereceiving space may be shaped as illustrated in any one of theembodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1-8E.

Shaping 1010 a nonlinear profile includes shaping a nonlinear profile inat least one of the first end and the second end, the nonlinear profilehaving a concave portion. Shaping 1010 may be achieved by performingfinishing operations on at least one of the first end and the second endand/or molding, machining or otherwise manipulating the first and/orsecond side wall or side face. Shaping 1010 a nonlinear profile may beaccomplished by providing a nonlinear profile as described withreference to FIGS. 1-8E.

The method 1000 may include providing and shaping 1012 a back wall.Providing and shaping 1012 includes providing a back wall that couplesat least a portion of the first side wall or face to at least a portionof the second side wall or side face, the back wall comprising a thirdend opposing the platform, and shaping the back wall for engagement withan interior of a firearm magazine housing. Providing and shaping 1012 aback wall may be achieved by molding, machining or otherwisemanipulating a material that couples the first and/or second side wallor side face and/or performing finishing operations on at least aportion of the back wall. Providing and shaping 1012 a back wall may beaccomplished by providing a back wall as described with reference toFIGS. 1-8E.

The method 1000 may include shaping 1014 a recessed region or face in atleast one of the first end and the second end to configure the at leastone of the first end and the second end to deflect a spring fromcatching on the at least one of the first end the second end, whereinshaping a recessed region or face comprises at least one of chamferingand beveling at least a portion of the at least one of the first end andthe second end. Chamfering and beveling may be achieved through molding,machining, and/or other finishing operations suitable for achieving arecessed region or face. Shaping 1014 may be achieved by providing arecessed region or face as described with reference to any of FIGS.1-8E.

In conclusion, the present invention provides, among other things, asystem and method for preventing a spring from catching on the followeror twisting in the housing. Those skilled in the art can readilyrecognize that numerous variations and substitutions may be made in theinvention, its use and its configuration to achieve substantially thesame results as achieved by the embodiments described herein.Accordingly, there is no intention to limit the invention to thedisclosed exemplary forms. Many variations, modifications andalternative constructions fall within the scope and spirit of thedisclosed invention as expressed in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A follower for a firearm magazine having a springtherein, the follower comprising: a platform having a top surface shapedto interface with a firearm cartridge and a bottom surface shaped toseat the spring in the firearm magazine; a first side face extendinglongitudinally from the platform and having a first end opposing theplatform; and a second side face extending longitudinally from theplatform and having a second end opposing the platform; wherein thefirst side face and the second side face define a receiving space forreceiving at least a portion of a magazine spring; at least one of thefirst end and the second end has a nonlinear profile having at least oneconcave portion whereby the at least one of the first end and the secondend is configured to translate a lateral spring force exerted by thespring onto the at least one of the first end and the second end into alongitudinal spring force onto the bottom surface.
 2. The follower ofclaim 1, further comprising: at least one wall defining the first sideface, the second side face, and a back face, the back face comprising athird end opposing the platform, and wherein at least one of the firstend, the second end, and the third end comprises a spring deflectorshaped to deflect the spring from catching on the follower.
 3. Thefollower of claim 2, wherein: the spring deflector comprises a recessedface shaped to translate a lateral spring force exerted by the springonto the at least one of the first end, the second end, and the thirdend into a longitudinal spring force onto the bottom surface.
 4. Thefollower of claim 2, wherein: the spring deflector comprises a crimpedregion in the third end.
 5. The follower of claim 1, wherein: at leastone of the first end and the second end comprises a spring deflectorshaped to deflect the spring from catching on the at least one of thefirst end and the second end.
 6. The follower of claim 5, wherein: thespring deflector comprises a recessed face whereby the spring deflectoris configured to translate a lateral spring force exerted by the springonto the at least one of the first end or the second end into alongitudinal spring force onto the bottom surface.
 7. The follower ofclaim 6, wherein: the spring deflector comprises at least one of arelief entry, an angled lead-in, a bevel, a chamfer, a crimped region, aconvex bevel, a concave bevel, a convex chamfer, a concave chamfer, achisel, a concave chisel, a convex chisel, and a compound bevel.
 8. Thefollower of claim 5, wherein: the at least one of the first end and thesecond end comprises a nonlinear profile, the nonlinear profilecomprising a concave portion; and the concave portion comprises thespring deflector.
 9. The follower of claim 1, wherein: the nonlinearprofile comprises a concave portion in a fore region of the at least oneof the first end and the second end and a convex portion in the foreregion of the at least one of the first end and the second end, theconvex portion forward of the concave portion, the convex portion havinga radius of curvature that is less than a radius of curvature of theconcave portion.
 10. A follower for a firearm magazine, the followercomprising: a cartridge interface shaped to support a cartridge in afirearm magazine; a magazine housing interface shaped to orient thefollower relative to the firearm magazine; and a magazine springreceiving space shaped to receive at least a portion of a magazinespring, at least a portion of the magazine spring receiving spacecomprising a spring deflector comprising a crimped region configured totranslate a lateral spring force into a longitudinal spring force. 11.The follower of claim 10, comprising: a nonlinear end profile comprisingat least one concave region.
 12. The follower of claim 10, wherein: thespring deflector is shaped to deflect the spring from catching on themagazine housing interface.
 13. A method of using a follower for afirearm magazine, the method comprising: providing a follower in afirearm magazine, the follower having a cartridge interface, a magazinehousing interface, and a magazine spring receiving space shaped toreceive at least a portion of a magazine spring, at least a portion ofthe magazine housing interface comprising a plurality of interior facesand a nonlinear end profile shaped to deflect the magazine spring fromcatching on the follower, the nonlinear end profile having a concaveportion in a fore region of the follower and a convex portion forward ofthe concave portion, the convex portion having a radius of curvaturethat is less than a radius of curvature of the concave portion; causingthe follower to interface with a cartridge, a magazine housing, and amagazine spring; and loading the firearm magazine such that the followercompresses the magazine spring and the nonlinear end profile deflectsthe magazine spring from catching on the nonlinear end profile.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein loading the firearm comprises: allowing acrimped region in at least one of the plurality of interior faces todeflect the spring from catching on the magazine housing interface. 15.A method of making a follower for a firearm, the method comprising:providing a platform shaped to interface with a firearm cartridge;shaping a first side face extending longitudinally from the platform andhaving a first end opposing the platform; and shaping a second side faceextending longitudinally from the platform and having a second endopposing the platform; shaping the first side face and the second sideface to define a receiving space for receiving at least a portion of amagazine spring; and shaping a nonlinear profile in at least one of thefirst end and the second end, so that the nonlinear profile has aconcave region configured to translate a lateral spring force into alongitudinal spring force.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: providing a back wall coupling at least a portion of thefirst side face to at least a portion of the second side face, the backwall comprising a third end opposing the platform; shaping the back wallfor engagement with an interior of a firearm magazine housing; andshaping a recessed face in at least one of the first end, the secondend, and the third end to deflect a spring from catching on thefollower; wherein shaping a recessed face comprises crimping at least aportion of the at least one of the first end, the second end, and thethird end.
 17. The method of claim 15, comprising: shaping a recessedface in at least one of the first end and the second end to configurethe at least one of the first end and the second end to deflect a springfrom catching on the at least one of the first end the second end;wherein shaping a recessed face comprises at least one of chamfering andbeveling at least a portion of the at least one of the first end and thesecond end.